Integral diaper waistband fasteners

ABSTRACT

This device relates to a single-use, rectangular area, pressuresensitive adhesive waistband securing means suitable for holding the diaper on a baby&#39;&#39;s torso without pins. A first face of a thin, flexible, nonextensible first waistband is permanently, completely secured to the exterior fluid-resistant diaper membrane, and is disposed completely across the first diaper end normal to the diaper sides, forming two first waistband terminus areas at the diaper sides. On the face of the first waistband terminus areas opposed to the absorbent diaper pad, each one of the pair of first waistband terminuses can have an adhesive securing means. Each adhesive securing means comprise a pressuresensitive adhesive coating area permanently secured to a first waistband terminus area, and the coating area is completely covered with a removable, protective release paper sheet area. A first face of a thin, flexible, nonextensible, second waistband is permanently secured to the fluid-resistant diaper membrane, disposed completely across and bonded to the second diaper end, normal to the diaper sides. The second waistband adhesive securing means has a pair of integral, nonextensible band short extensions, each one of the pair oppositely extending beyond each one of the pair of diaper sides. Each of the band short extensions has a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanently secured to the band short extension face which is adjacent to the fluid-absorbtion side of the diaper. Each of the adhesive coating areas are completely covered by removable, protective release paper sheet areas. The pressure-sensitive adhesive waistband securing means are formed from sheet stock components, which are formed into individual waistbands, and then bonded to a diaper web being continuously formed on an assembly line. The first and second waistbands are both positioned and bonded to the diaper web prior to cutting the diaper web into individual diapers, each diaper then having a pair of waistbands.

United States Patent John Leslie Jones, Sr.

[72] Inventor 1070 Glen Oaks Blvd., Pasadena, Calif.

[54] INTEGRAL DIAPER WAISTBAND FASTENERS 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 128/287 [51] lnt.Cl A611 13/16 [50] Field of Search 128/284,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,032,131 2/1936 Kennard128/287 2,062,978 12/1936 King 128/287 2,290,110 7/1942 McGraw...128/284 2,626,858 2/1953 Miller... 156/237 2,649,858 8/1953 Bolt 128/2842,714,889 8/1955 Chambers 128/287 2,834,347 5/1958 Connally 128/2843,089,494 5/1963 Schwartz. 148/175 3,180,335 4/1968 Duncan 128/2873,386,442 6/1968 Sabee 128/287 Primary ExaminerCharles F. RosenbaumAttorney-4. L. Jones ABSTRACT: This device relates to a single-use,rectangular area, pressure-sensitive adhesive waistband securing meanssuitable for holding the diaper on a baby's torso without pins. A firstface of a thin, flexible, nonextensible first waistband is permanently,completely secured to the exterior fluid-resistant diaper membrane, andis disposed completely across the first diaper end normal to the diapersides, forming two first waistband terminus areas at the diaper sides.On the face of the first waistband terminus areas opposed to theabsorbent diaper pad, each one of the pair of first waistband terminusescan have an adhesive securing means. Each adhesive securing meanscomprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanently securedto a first waistband terminus area, and the coating area is completelycovered with a removable, protective release paper sheet area. A firstface ofa thin, flexible, nonextensible, second waistband is permanentlysecured to the fluid-resistant diaper membrane, disposed completelyacross and bonded to the second diaper end, normal to the diaper sides.The second waistband adhesive securing means has a pair of integral,nonextensible band short extensions, each one of the pair oppositelyextending beyond each one of the pair of diaper sides. Each of the bandshort extensions has a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating areapermanently secured to the band short extension face which is adjacentto the fluid-absorbtion side of the diaper. Each of the adhesive coatingareas are completely covered by removable, protective release papersheet areas. The pressure-sensitive adhesive waistband securing meansare formed from sheet stock components, which are formed into individualwaistbands, and then bonded to a diaper web being continuously formed onan assembly line. The first and second waistbands are both positionedand bonded to the diaper web prior to cutting the diaper web intoindividual diapers, each diaper then having a pair of waistbands.

PATENTE D 0m 5 I871 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR M5 /4/ /Z0 INVF TOR FIG 11.

INTEGRAL DIAPER WAISTBAND FASTENERS CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is related to the U.S. Pat. applicationfiled Oct. 20, 1969 Ser. No. 867,713 titled PLEATED DIAPER by the samesole inventor. The above application has been allowed and now U.S. Pat.No. 3,561,466.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that washable, reusablecloth diapers are worn to partially clothe a baby up to the age of about2 years. The cloth diapers are traditionally secured on the baby torsoby safety pin fasteners. Commercial single-use, disposable baby diapersare now likewise secured on the baby body with safety pin fasteners. Theseparate safety pins can be lost, swallowed by a baby, and can puncturethe babys skin. This inventive improvement in waistband adhesivesecuring means as a diaper fastener device for single-use, disposablebaby diapers is very desirable, since it eliminates these hazardousproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention teaches a single-use,rectangular-area, pressure-sensitive adhesive waistband securing means,suitable for holding the diaper on the babys torso without pins. A firstface of a thin, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband is permanently,completely secured to the exterior fluid-resistant diaper membrane, andis disposed completely across the first diaper end normal to the diaperside, forming two first waistband terminus areas at the diaper sides. Onthe face of the first waistband terminus areas opposed to the absorbentdiaper pad, each one of the pair of first waistband terminuses can havean adhesive securing means. Each adhesive securing means comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanently secured to a firstwaistband terminus area, and the coating area is completely covered witha removable, protective release paper sheet area. A first face of athin, flexible, nonextensible, second waistband is permanently securedto the fluid-resistant diaper membrane disposed completely across andbonded to the second diaper end, normal to the diaper sides. The secondwaistband adhesive securing means has a pair of integral, nonextensibleband short extensions, each one of the pair oppositely extending beyondeach one of the pair of diaper sides. Each of the band short extensionshas a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanently secured tothe band short extension face which is adjacent to the fluid-absorptionside of the diaper. Each of the adhesive coating areas are completelycovered by removable, protective release paper sheet areas. Thepressure-sensitive adhesive waist band securing means are formed fromsheet stock components, which are formed into individual waistbands andbonded to a diaper web being continuously formed on an assembly line.The first and second waistbands are both positioned and bonded to thediaper web prior to cutting the diaper web into individual diapers, eachdiaper then having a pair of waistbands.

Included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an integral pressure-sensitive adhesive waistbandsecuring means for a single-use, disposable baby diaper.

Second, to provide a safe, simple, integral waistband securing means forholding a single-use, baby diaper in a normal crotch-enveloping positionon a baby.

Third, to provide a single-use, disposable diaper which is adapted tomaximum placement of the fluid-absorbent pad in a functional position inand around the crotch of the baby toddler.

Fourth, to provide a simple manufacturing process for a disposable babydiaper having pressure-sensitive waistband securing means.

Fifth, to provide an economical process for manufacturing apressure-sensitive waistband securing means disposable baby diaper.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent inthe following description to be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a single-use,disposable, multiple accordion-type pleated baby diaper, having integraladhesive diaper securing means for a babys torso.

FIG. 2 is an elevational projective view of a multipleaccordion-pleated, single-use, disposable diaper of FIG. 1, now tightlyfolded as for packaging in a commercial retail carton.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustratingthe construction of the first waistband pressuresensitive adhesivesecuring means for the baby diaper.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through 4-4 of FIG. 1, illustratingthe construction of the second waistband pressuresensitive adhesivesecuring means for the baby diaper.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the method of partially fabricatingthe modification of the first waistband and the second waistband on amoving diaper web.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a further modification of themethod of manufacturing the integral diaper of this invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through 77 or 77' of FIG. 6,illustrating the structure of the waistband sheeting construction.

FIG. 8 is a view of the integral diaper of this invention secured infunctional position on a baby s torso.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another diaper modification illustratingfurther diaper adhesive securing means of this invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates further cross-sectional view details of the modifiedfirst waistband adhesive securing means through l0-l0 ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates further cross-sectional view details of the modifiedsecond waistband adhesive securing means through 11-11 ofFIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 in detail, asingle-use, disposable, integral diaper 1 has multiple, accordion-foldedpleats 2 disposed parallel to the centerline 3 and disposed normal tothe centerline 4. The diaper 1 is rectangular in area, having a lengthaxis 5 and a width axis 6. Each of the multiple pleats 2 has a pair ofpleat sides 7 and 8, and each pleat side 7 and 8 can have equal pleatwidth 9. The upper face of the diaper fluid-absorbent pad 10, shown inpartial sectional view, has a moisture-resistant or fluid-impermeable,exterior, thin membrane sheet 11 which covers and encloses one face ofthe fluid-absorbent pad 10. The thin membrane sheet 11 can be a verythin, fluid-impermeable plastic film or a chemically treated, wetstrength paper base sheet, also resistant to fluid penetration.

The diaper l illustrated is rectangular in planar shape, but it can alsobe a planar square of the required dimensions. A square is to beconsidered a special rectangular shape.

A first face of a thin, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband 12 ispermanently, completely secured to the exterior face of the thinmembrane sheet 11, parallel to the width axis 6 at the first diaper end13. The band 12 is disposed completely across the diaper end 13, havinga pair of opposed band terminuses l4, 14' which terminate at the opposeddiaper sides is, 15'. The first waistband 12 has a pair of firstwaistband adhesive securing means 16, 16, each means including apressure-sensitive adhesive coating area pennanently secured on thesecond face of waistband 12 on the band terminuses 14, 14'. Eachadhesive coating area can be equal in width to the narrow waistbandwidth 21, and is completely covered by a removable protective releasepaper sheet, as will be described in detail later.

A first face of a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, secondwaistband 17, is shown permanently secured to the exterior face of thefluid-resistant diaper membrane 11, and disposed completely across thesecond diaper end 18, parallel to the diaper fold axis 4. The secondwaistband 17 has a pair of integral, nonextensible band short extensions19, 19', oppositely extending beyond the respective diaper sides 15, Theband short extensions 19, 19' form a portion of the pressuresensitiveadhesive coating securing means 20, which have pressure-sensitiveadhesive faces, each cooperatively adjacent to the fluid-absorptive sideof the diaper. Each pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area can beequal in width to the waistband width 22, and is completely covered by aremovable protective release paper sheet, to form the second waistbandadhesive securing means 20, 20'.

FIG. 2 illustrates the compact volume of a single-use, disposable,integral diaper 1 accordion-pleated folds closed in a position suitablefor commercial packing in a retail carton with other diapers 1. Thewaistband short extension 19 is shown extended from the diaper pleat 7,with the second band adhesive securing means 20 disposed on the obverseband side. The multiple, accordion-fold pleats 2 are contiguous, withthe sides 7 and 8 adjacent to each other. The first waistband 12 isshown secured to to the diaper end 13, and the first band adhesivesecuring means 16 is shown disposed on band 12. The second waistband 17is shown secured to the directly opposed diaper end 18.

FIG. 3 illustrates the diaper 1 construction through 33 of FIG. 1,wherein the first waistband 12 is shown bonded to the exterior face ofthe thin membrane 11. The sectional view also illustrates the typicalwell-known construction of single-use diapers, having a nonwoven, porouscover sheet 30 which permits absorption of a baby's waste products inthe absorbent pad 10, made of fluffed wood pulp, tissue paper, cotton orrayon fibers or the like. The typical fluid-impermeable exterior, thinmembrane sheet 11 folds over the edge 31 of absorbent pad 10 at fold 32,and the flap 33 of membrane sheet 11 is bonded to the underlyingnonwoven sheet 30. The bonding of flap 33 to sheet 30 may be by heatseal or adhesive, as is well known in the prior art.

The first waistband 12 is a thin, flexible, nonextensible compositestructure which is soft and warm to human touch. Band 12 is not rigid orsharp-edged, eliminating cutting the baby skin. The nonextensiblecomposite structure of band 12 typically can be a laminate of a thinplastic film and an open mesh woven or nonwoven fiber gauze; or it canbe a thin plastic film laminated to paper, typically 50-100 poundweight. The composite structure is specifically adapted to provide thenonextensibility property of band 12. The plastic film component of band12 should be chemically compatible and preferably heat sealable to themembrane sheet 11, although a cement or adhesive can be used to bond 11and 12 in a known technique. The nonextensibility, softness and theconstruction properties of band 12 and band 17 are to be fullyequivalent to each other.

On the band terminus 14' of band 12, a pressure-sensitive adhesivecoating area 34 is permanently secured to and covers the band width 21,for a coating area length 35. A thin release paper sheet area 36 atleast completely covers all of the pressure-sensitive adhesive coatingarea 34, and is easily removed therefrom with finger tips. Thecombination of the adhesive coating area 34, permanently secured to aportion of waistband 12, and covered by the release paper sheet area 36,is the first waistband adhesive securing means 16'. The adhesivesecuring means 16 is equivalent to the adhesive securing means 16' inchemical and mechanical structure, one being the geometrical mirrorimage of the other.

FIG. 4 illustrates the construction of diaper 1 through 4-4 of FIG. 1,wherein the second waistband 17 is shown bonded to the membrane 11. Thesectional view again illustrates the well-known typical single-usediaper construction, in which the nonwoven porous cover sheet 30 issecured to the overlapping flap 33 of the sheet 11, as by heat seal oradhesive bond. The second waistband 17 has a nonextensible mechanicalstructure equivalent to the nonextensible structure of the firstwaistband 12. The plastic film component of band 17 should be chemicallycompatible, and preferably heat sealable to the membrane sheet 11,although a cement or adhesive can be used to bond 11 and 17 bywell-known techniques. The short waistband extension 19' is an integral,continuous extension of the portion 37 of the second waistband 17secured to the membrane 11. The extension 19 can have three lengthsections 38, 39, and 40, which together form the total length of 19'.The extension sublength 39 is completely, permanently covered over theband width 22 with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area 41. Athin, release paper sheet area 42 completely covers all of thepressure-sensitive adhesive coating area 41, extending beyond 41 on bothof its ends to form the dry alleys 43,44. The dry alleys 43,44 serve ashandles for the ready removal of the sheet area 42 with fingertips.

The combination 19' as the sublengths 38, 39 and 40, together with thepressure-sensitive adhesive coating area 41 and the thin release papersheet area 42, together form a second waistband adhesive securing means20'. The adhesive securing means 20 is equivalent to the adhesivesecuring means 20' in chemical and mechanical structure, one being thegeometrical mirror image of the other.

The nonextensibility of waist bands 12 and 17 is an important propertyof this invention. Since the fluid-impermeable membrane sheet 11 istypically thin plastic, e.g. 0.0005-inch thick polyethylene, it willreadily cold stretch on tensile loading. The nonextensible waistbands 12and 17 are substantially thicker, e.g. 0.004-0.0l0 inches, and theirband widths 21 and 22 are typically one-fourth to l inchjThus inapplication of the single-use diaper, the nonextensible waistbands 12and 17 provide structural strength in terms of no elongation of thesecuring waistbands, preventing the integral diaper 1 from structurallystretching or distending at the baby's waist and then falling off thebaby s torso.

The release paper sheet areas 36 and 42, and the like, are well-knownpaper sheet structures, chemically treated on at least one sheet face toprovide a treated face which will adhere to a pressure-sensitiveadhesive coating area, and protect the coating area, yet with nopermanent stick to the adhesive. The release paper, 36 and 42, and thelike, can be readily removed with fingertips. Typically, 36 and 42 are0.004- to 0.0l'0-inch thick sheets.

This invention also teaches a simple process of fabricating thesingle-use diaper 1, or the like, adapted to continuously fabricatingdiapers from an endless diaper web continuously formed on an assemblyline. In FIG. 5, an endless, moving diaper web 50 is shown moving in thedirection 51. A thin membrane sheet 11' is shown uppermost on web 50,covering the absorbent pad 10' shown in a partial sectional view. Thefirst waistband 12, having first band adhesive securing means 16", 16"uppermost, is bonded to membrane 11'. The second waistband 17' is alsobonded to the membrane sheet 11' of the continuous web 50, and has thesecond waistband adhesive securing means 20" and 20" facing downward. Bybonding the bands 12' and 17' adjacently parallel, and parallel to theweb width 52, the web 50 can be completely severed at the centerline 5-5between bands 12 and 17, can provide a first waistband 12' on one diaperend 13', or the like for one diaper; and a second waistband 17' on asecond diaper end 18', or the like, on another diaper.

FIGS. 6 and 7 together illustrate the diaper manufacturing process infurther detail. In FIG. 6 the single-use diaper, endless web 70 ismoving in the direction 71, the thin membrane sheet 11" shown uppermost,as in H0. 5. Two rolls 72 and 73 of previously prepared waistband stocksheeting are shown unreeling stock sheet in the respective reeldirections 74 and 75. The rolls 72 and 73 are positioned above the web70, and are each adapted to form a sheet terminus 76 and 77 respectivelyat the centerline 8-8. The waistband stock sheetings 78 and 79, of rolls72 and 73 respectively, are completely severed at the respective lines80 and 81, to form a pair of spaced and positioned potential waistbands82 and 83 respectively on the web 70. On bonding of the newly severedbands 82 and 83 on the web 70, by standard heat-sealing or cementingtechniques, the severed and bonded bands derived from bands 82 and 83,become equivalent to the pair of waistbands 12' and 17 of FIG. 5.

The waistbands stock sheetings 78 and 79, as sectioned at 77 and 7'7 inFIG. 6, are shown in cross-sectional detail in FIG. 7. The sheetings 78and 79 are equivalent in cross-sectional structure, as shown in FIG. 7.The nonextensible, thin, flexible water-resistant, bondable sheeting 84has a web width 85. The web width 85 is adapted to become the requiredvalues for the roll widths 86 and 87 of the respective rolls 72 and 73.The waistband adhesive securing means 88 and 89 each comprise thepressure-sensitive adhesive coating areas 90 and 91 respectively,covered by the thin, flexible, release paper sheet areas 92 and 93respectively disposed at the opposed web margins 94 and 95 respectivelyof the sheet 84. Thus, refen'ing back to FIG. 6, the first waistbandadhesive securing means 96 and 97 are shown uppermost on the stock sheet78; and the second waistband adhesive securing means 98 and 99 areindicated on the under side of the stock sheet 79.

Prepared rolls of stock sheeting 78, or the like, are fabricated in therequired width, and applied to the web 70, or the like. Obviously, thesevering of web 70, or the like, and of stock sheetings 78 and 79 at 80and 81, or the like, may be accomplished by well-known processes,utilizing moving or stationary reciprocating knife blade cutters,synchronized with the diaper web and roll velocities of motion. Theaccordionfold pleats of diaper 1, or the like, may be formed bywellknown means, and typically can be one-half to 1 inch wide per foldwidth 9.

ln application of this integral diaper, no conventional safety pins arerequired. The pleats 2 of diaper 1 of FIG. 2 are partially opened andthe centerline 3 of the diaper laid parallel and underneath the babysbackbone line in the conventional, well-known manner. The pleats 2remain constricted in opening, in and around the babys crotch, placing amaximum of pleated, folded absorbent pad directly adjacent the positionson the babys torso which emit waste products. The pleats 2 of diaper 1are fully distended at the first and second waistbands 12 and 17, or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pleats 2' of diaper 1' form a fanshapeddistension on the babys body 100, being relatively compressed in andaround the baby's crotch 101; and being openly distended over the babysabdomen 102. The first waistband 12" is shown stretched to its fulllength around the babys abdomen 102, and the second waistband 17" isalso fully distended and overlaps the first waistband 12". The firstwaistband adhesive securing means 16 and 16' have been modified byremoval of the release paper sheet areas 36, or the like, and byadhesively bonding the band 12" interiorly to the nonwoven porous sheet30, or the like, as at 103 and 104. The second waistband adhesivesecuring means and 20' have also been modified by removing the releasepaper sheet areas 42, or the like, and adhesively bonding the adhesivecoating areas 41, or the like, to the first waistband to form adhesivebonds 105 and 106 on the band 12".

Thus the integral diaper 1 requires no safety pin fasteners to securethe diaper on the babys torso, and places the maximum mass of absorbentpad in a position to collect the baby s waste products. The newborn babyis relatively inactive physically and will not necessarily require theadhesive bond securing means 16 and 16' on the first waistband 12.Hence, for the smallest size diaper, typically an area of 10"X14", thesecuring means 16 and 16 are omitted. For the more active babies,normally 12 pounds and up in weight, the first waistband adhesivesecuring means 16 and 16, as well as the second waistband securing means20 and 20' are both required. The two sets of waistband securing means16, 16 and 20, 20' are particularly necessary for active toddlers, toprevent the thin, fluid-impermeable membrane 11, or the like, from coldstretching while the baby moves, and thus allows the loose diaper todrop off the babys abdomen.

10 jacent the absorbent pad, as in the diaper construction of FIG.

9. The integral, rectangular area diaper 110 is shown in partial planview, the thin, fluid-resistant membrane sheet area 11 I is shownuppermost. The fluid-absorbent pad 112 is shown in partial sectionalview lying below membrane area 111. The first waistband 113 is shownjust underlying the membrane sheet area 1 11, and the band 113 iscompletely bonded across the diaper width 114 to the sheet area 111, atthe first diaper end 115. The first waistband adhesive securing means116 and 116' are shown formed on he band terminuses 117 and 117.

The second waistband 118 is also shown partially disposed underneath themembrane sheet area 111, coadjacent one face of the fluid-absorbent pad112. The waistband 118 is likewise bonded the width 114 of the seconddiaper end 119. The second waistband adhesive securing means 120 and120' are disposed on the integral second waistband short extensions 121and 121' respectively. The diaper 110 is folded about the diaper foldaxis 122 on placement on a babys torso.

FIG. 10 shows in cross-sectional view through 1010 of FIG. 9, theconstruction of the first band adhesive securing means 116. Thenonwoven, porous cover sheet 131 is disposed coadjacent and completelycovers the fluid-absorbent pad 112, both components terminating at thepad edge 133. The thin, narrow flexible, first waistband 113 is bondedto the thin, fluid impermeable membrane sheet area 111, as byheat-sealing. The membrane sheet area 111 has a fold 136, terminating ina flap 137, which is overfolded and bonded to the cover sheet 131. Thefirst waistband adhesive securing means 116' is shown to consist of therequired length 138 of membrane sheet area 111, the pressure-sensitiveadhesive coating area 139, and the overlying thin, flexible releasepaper sheet area 140. Again the thin, flexible noncxtensible firstwaistband 113, when bonded to the thin, membrane sheet area 111,prevents the membrane sheet area 111 from cold stretching at the diaperend 115.

The cross-sectional view through 11 11 of FIG. 9 is further illustratedin FIG. 11, showing the construction of the second waistband adhesivesecuring means 120. Again, the nonwoven, porous cover sheet 131coterminates with the absorbent pad 112, at the pad edge 133. The thin,flexible, nonextensible, second waistband 118 has a second waistbandshort extension 121', which is integral with 118. The band 118 is bondedto the fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area 111, and also to themembrane fold 136', which has been folded under and sealed to band 118.The second waistband adhesive securing means 120 consists of therequired length 141 of the extension 121', the pressure-sensitive layerof release paper sheet area 143.

The first waistband adhesive securing means 117 and 117' are fullyequivalent in their construction; as securing means 120 and 120 arefully equivalent in their construction.

The first waistband adhesive securing means and the second waistbandsecuring means are disposed in use, as in FIG. 8, to provide fourseparate bonded adhesive fasteners. The four bonded fasteners provideadjustable four-point suspension on the nonextensible waistbands, whichcan be adapted to secure the waistbands to the necessary degree oftightness on the babys abdomen. Since low diaper raw material costs arevery important in developing a low-priced, disposable diaper in wideuse, the thickness of the fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area is animportant raw material cost. A thin, cheaper, fluid-impermeablemembrane, typically 0.0003 inch thick, can be used with thenonextensible waistbands, instead of the thicker 0.0015-inch membranesheet area. The adjustable four-point suspension is necessary for theactive baby learning to stand in a crib and for the baby beginning towalk, for activity results in cold stretching of the thin membrane andloss of any significant waistband control and holding tension in anunimproved disposable diaper. In fact, a four-point suspension isnecessary for an active baby, crib stander or walker, and twoadhesive-bonded fasteners are not sufficient to hold a baby diaper onduring this activity.

Although the integral waistband fasteners of this invention have beendescribed in conjunction with a pleated diaper of my copending US. Pat.application, filed as of this date, the integral waistband fastenersinvention can be practiced alone and without the pleated diaperinvention.

Although the absorbent pad, typically 10 of this disclosure, is shownsubstantially coextensive in area, with the thin membrane, typically 11,the absorbent pad for entrapping waste fluids can be smaller in areathan the membrane. The absorbent pad will be typically centrallydisposed along the diaper centerline, typically centerline 3.

Obviously many modifications in integral diapers can be made in thelight of these teachings. It is therefore understood that within thescope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described.

I claim:

1. In a single-use, disposable, rectangular-area, integral baby diaper,having an fluid-absorbent pad area, and an at least coextensive, thinfilm, fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area secured to and at leastcompletely covering one face of said pad area, the diaper modificationcomprising:

a. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband permanently,completely secured on one face thereof to one face of saidfluid-impermeable membrane sheet area, disposed completely across andbonded to a first diaper end, and disposed normal to the pair of diapersides, each one of the pair of first waistband terminuses beingcoterminous with one of said pair of diaper sides;

b. a thin, flexible, nonextensible, second waistband permanently securedon one face thereof to one face of said fluid-impermeable membrane sheetarea, disposed completely across and bonded to a second diaper endnormal to said pair of diaper sides; and

c. a second waistband adhesive securing means having a pair of integral,narrow, nonextensible second waistband short extensions of said secondwaistband, each one of said pair of extensions oppositely extendingbeyond one of said pair of diaper sides, each one of said pair of shortextensions having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanentlysecured to the face of each said band short extension coplanar with saidfluid-absorption pad side of said diaper, and a removable,release-coated protective sheet area completely covering each saidadhesive coating area.

2. The single-use, disposable, integral diaper of claim 1 in which saidfirst waistband and said second waistband are each separately bonded tothe face of said fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area opposed to themembrane face area contiguous to said fluid-absorbent pad area.

3. The single use, disposable, integral baby diaper of claim 1 in whichsaid first waistband has an opposed pair of waistband adhesive securingmeans, each said securing means consisting of one of an opposed pair ofpressuresensitive adhesive coating areas permanently secured to one ofthe pair of first waistband terminus areas adjacent to one of the pairof diaper sides, and each said coating area disposed on the face of saidterminus area opposed to the fluid-absorption pad face of said diaper;and each one of said adhesive coating areas completely covered by aremovable, release-coated protective sheet area.

4. The single-use, disposable, integral baby diaper of claim 3 in whichsaid first waist and said second waistbands are said fluid-absorbent padarea.

in a single-use, disposable, rectangular-area, integral baby diaperhaving an fluid-absorbent pad area, and an at least coextensive, thinfilm, fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area secured to and at leastcompletely covering one face of said pad area, the diaper modificationcomprising:

a. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband permanently,completely secured on one face thereof to the face of saidfluid-impermeable membrane sheet area opposed to the membrane facecontiguous to said pad, said first waistband disposed across and bondedto a first diaper end, normal to the pair of diaper sides, each one ofthe pair of first waistband terminuses being coterminous with one ofsaid pair of diaper sides;

b. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, second waistband permanentlysecured on one face thereof to the face of said fluid-impermeablemembrane sheet area opposed to the membrane face contiguous to said pad,said second waistband disposed across and bonded to a second diaper endnormal to said pair of diaper sides, said second end directly opposed tosaid first diaper end; and

c. a second waistband adhesive securing means having a pair of integral,narrow, nonextensible, second waistband short extensions of said secondwaistband, each one of said pair of extensions oppositely extendingbeyond each one of the pair of diaper sides, each one of said pair ofextensions having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanentlysecured to a face of each said band short extension coadjacent to thefluid-absorption pad face of said diaper and a removable, release-coatedprotective sheet area completely covering each said adhesive coatingarea.

6. The single-use, disposable, integral baby diaper of claim 5 which hasa first waistband adhesive securing means consisting of each one of apair of pressure-sensitive adhesive coating areas, permanently securedto each one of the pair of bonded terminuses formed adjacent the diapersides by the first waistband terminuses and the membrane sheet area,each one of said pair of adhesive coating areas disposed on a face of abonded terminus opposed the fluid-absorption pad face of said diaper,and each one of said adhesive coating areas completely covered by aremovable, release-coated protective sheet area.

7. In a single-use, disposable, rectangular-area, integral baby diaper,having an fluid-absorbent pad area, and an at least coextensive, thinfilm, fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area secured to and at leastcompletely covering one face of said pad area, the diaper modificationcomprising:

a. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband permanentlydisposed completely across and bonded to a first diaper end, anddisposed normal to the pair of diaper sides, each one of the pair offirst waistband terminuses being coterminus with one of said pair ofdiaper sides b. a thin, flexible, nonextensible, second waistbandpermanently disposed completely across and bonded to a second diaper endnormal to said pair of diaper sides; and

c. a second waistband adhesive securing means having a pair of integral,narrow, nonextensible second waistband short extensions of said secondwaistband, each one of said pair of extensions oppositely extendingbeyond one of said pair of diaper sides, each one of said pair of shortextensions having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanentlysecured to the face of each said band short extension coplanar with saidfluid-absorption pad side of said diaper, and a removable,release-coated protective sheet area completely covering each saidadhesive coating area.

1. In a single-use, disposable, rectangular-area, integral baby diaper,having an fluid-absorbent pad area, and an at least coextensive, thinfilm, fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area secured to and at leastcompletely covering one face of said pad area, the diaper modificationcomprising: a. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, first waistbandpermanently, completely secured on one face thereof to one face of saidfluid-impermeable membrane sheet area, disposed completely across andbonded to a first diaper end, and disposed normal to the pair of diapersides, each one of the pair of first waistband terminuses beingcoterminous with one of said pair of diaper sides; b. a thin, flexible,nonextensible, second waistband permanently secured on one face thereofto one face of said fluidimpermeable membrane sheet area, disposedcompletely across and bonded to a second diaper end normal to said pairof diaper sides; and c. a second waistband adhesive securing meanshaving a pair of integral, narrow, nonextensible second waistband shortextensions of said second waistband, each one of said pair of extensionsoppositely extending beyond one of said pair of diaper sides, each oneof said pair of short extensions having a pressure-sensitive adhesivecoating area permanently secured to the face of each said band shortextension coplanar with said fluid-absorption pad side of said diaper,and a removable, release-coated protective sheet area completelycovering each said adhesive coating area.
 2. The single-use, disposable,integral diaper of claim 1 in which said first waistband and said secondwaistband are each separately bonded to the face of saidfluid-impermeable membrane sheet area opposed to the membrane face areacontiguous to said fluid-absorbent pad area.
 3. The single use,disposable, integral baby diaper of claim 1 in which said firstwaistband has an opposed pair of waistband adhesive securing means, eachsaid securing means consisting of one of an opposed pair ofpressure-sensitive adhesive coating areas permanently secured to one ofthe pair of first waistband terminus areas adjacent to one of the pairof diaper sides, and each said coating area disposed on the face of saidterminus area opposed to the fluid-absorption pad face of said diaper;and each one of said adhesive coating areas completely covered by aremovable, release-coated protective sheet area.
 4. The single-use,disposable, integral baby diaper of claim 3 in which said first waistand said second waistbands are separately bonded to the face of saidimpermeable membrane sheet area opposed to the membrane face areacontiguous to said fluid-absorbent pad area.
 5. In a single-use,disposable, rectangular-area, integral baby diaper having anfluid-absorBent pad area, and an at least coextensive, thin film,fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area secured to and at least completelycovering one face of said pad area, the diaper modification comprising:a. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband permanently,completely secured on one face thereof to the face of saidfluid-impermeable membrane sheet area opposed to the membrane facecontiguous to said pad, said first waistband disposed across and bondedto a first diaper end, normal to the pair of diaper sides, each one ofthe pair of first waistband terminuses being coterminous with one ofsaid pair of diaper sides; b. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible,second waistband permanently secured on one face thereof to the face ofsaid fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area opposed to the membrane facecontiguous to said pad, said second waistband disposed across and bondedto a second diaper end normal to said pair of diaper sides, said secondend directly opposed to said first diaper end; and c. a second waistbandadhesive securing means having a pair of integral, narrow,nonextensible, second waistband short extensions of said secondwaistband, each one of said pair of extensions oppositely extendingbeyond each one of the pair of diaper sides, each one of said pair ofextensions having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanentlysecured to a face of each said band short extension coadjacent to thefluid-absorption pad face of said diaper and a removable, release-coatedprotective sheet area completely covering each said adhesive coatingarea.
 6. The single-use, disposable, integral baby diaper of claim 5which has a first waistband adhesive securing means consisting of eachone of a pair of pressure-sensitive adhesive coating areas, permanentlysecured to each one of the pair of bonded terminuses formed adjacent thediaper sides by the first waistband terminuses and the membrane sheetarea, each one of said pair of adhesive coating areas disposed on a faceof a bonded terminus opposed the fluid-absorption pad face of saiddiaper, and each one of said adhesive coating areas completely coveredby a removable, release-coated protective sheet area.
 7. In asingle-use, disposable, rectangular-area, integral baby diaper, havingan fluid-absorbent pad area, and an at least coextensive, thin film,fluid-impermeable membrane sheet area secured to and at least completelycovering one face of said pad area, the diaper modification comprising:a. a thin, narrow, flexible, nonextensible, first waistband permanentlydisposed completely across and bonded to a first diaper end, anddisposed normal to the pair of diaper sides, each one of the pair offirst waistband terminuses being coterminus with one of said pair ofdiaper sides b. a thin, flexible, nonextensible, second waistbandpermanently disposed completely across and bonded to a second diaper endnormal to said pair of diaper sides; and c. a second waistband adhesivesecuring means having a pair of integral, narrow, nonextensible secondwaistband short extensions of said second waistband, each one of saidpair of extensions oppositely extending beyond one of said pair ofdiaper sides, each one of said pair of short extensions having apressure-sensitive adhesive coating area permanently secured to the faceof each said band short extension coplanar with said fluid-absorptionpad side of said diaper, and a removable, release-coated protectivesheet area completely covering each said adhesive coating area.